Second fire in my daughter's town

July 29 Wednesday a second fire started 14 miles east of my daughter's apartment

I was dumbfounded when my daughter called me Wednesday afternoon to tell me that a new fire broke out 14 miles east of her apartment, the very apartment I just move from living with her.  

I was recovering still from having a panic attack from Saturday's fire that was in back of the apartment. She too was having panic attacks and could not sleep well at all since Saturday. 
If it wasn't rough enough for her, me, my son and my daughter's boyfriend and all of our friends in the area, comes a new fire that was raging out of control to her area, AGAIN! 

This fire, called the Rocky fire came within 5 miles of my daughter and the town of Lower Lake main street or Morgan Valley Road. 

I had thought the fire had completely surrounded our complex on Saturday, July 27, 2015 - but I was corrected yesterday - that it only was on the west side.  So there is still vegetation and homes to the east of the complex. 
Fortunately, there is a large enough creek that is from the Dam, hence the Dam Road that we live on, or rather I did but she still does.   My son lives a mile away north in Clearlake town. 

My daughter said that the creek below the complex will aid if it had or will come back, who knows. The temperatures are triple digit again and the winds are high and erratic.  

Thankfully CAL FIRE, which is already fighting many fires in California in the surrounding counties of her county of Lake, were able to send over 300 firefighters, and equipment, see list below. 

By 10:30 pm July 29, the fire got close to houses on Morgan Valley road and jumped to 3,000 acres.

       http://www.lakeconews.com/  Lake County news photo. Their website has been overwhelmed and some time has gone down.  They add a screen shot from yesterday often, keep checking back. Or go to CAL FIRE link below. 

Today July 30 a news video from KCRA Sacramento had posted this news article and video. The fire went south west last night and grew to 8,000 acres by this morning.  
http://www.kcra.com/news/lake-county-wildfire-explodes-in-size-to-5000-acres/34437688

Here are photos from the local residents, the Lake County newspaper, and from the Lake County News at Facebook

                                            Bombers drop the fire retardant

                                               View from my daughter's apartment balcony

This is a view from the other side of the lower part of "Clearlake Lake" 

                                                      Morgan Valley road

Intersection of the town of Lower Lake and HWY 29

From the balcony of the complex where my daughter lives 

I will add updates on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sherryatbutterfly

Video my daughter took of the fire from the view of her balcony July 29 2015

From the CAL FIRE website updates July 30 2015 7:00 am Pacific Time

Link to all current fire incidents http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current

Rocky Fire Incident Information: Last Updated: July 30, 2015 7:00 am   Date/Time Started: July 29, 2015 4:10 pm   Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit  County: Lake County   Location: near Morgan Valley Road and Rocky Creek Road, east of Lower Lake   Acres Burned - Containment: 8,000 acres   Structures Destroyed: The fire has destroyed several outbuildings.   Evacuations: Immediate evacuations are in place for the North side of Morgan Valley Road for 5 miles east of Bonham Rd. South of Lower Lake evacuations in place at Spruce Grove Rd. NORTH, Noble Ranch, Jerusalem Grade, and Cantwell Ranch. An evacuation center is opened at the Highland Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Road, Clearlake. An animal evacuation center is opened at the Lower Lake Social Services parking lot, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake.   Road Closures : Morgan Valley Road at Bonham, Rocky Creek Road, Dam Road, Mustang Court, Quarterhorse Road and Sleepy Hollow   Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Kelseyville FPD, South Lake FPD, Northshore FPD, Lake County Sheriff, CHP, Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection (LEAP), Lake County Office of Emergency Services and North Bay Incident Management Team   Total Fire Personnel: 315   Total Fire Engines: 35   Total Fire crews: 8   Total Airtankers: 8   Total Helicopters: 8   Total Dozers: 9   Total Water Tenders: 4   Long/Lat: -122.4762475/38.8863538   Conditions: Fire is traveling a rapid rate of spread with forward spotting. The terrain is rugged, in heavy brush and timberland. Access is difficult. Additional resources have been ordered and are responding. An evacuation center is opened at the Highland Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Road, Clearlake. An animal evacuation center is opened at the Lower Lake Social Services parking lot, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake. Temperatures are approximately 94 degrees, 14 % humidity and wind is southwest at 11 mph.   Phone Numbers  (707) 967-1456 (Call Center Line)

California Statewide Fire Map

View California Fire Map in a larger map 

ROCKY FIRE MORE INFO

• Rocky Fire Information
• Incident Maps
• Photos
• News Releases
• Weather Information
• Telephone Numbers
• Special Notices
• Related Links

Unbelievable!!! Fire at my apartment 11 days after I move

July 26, 2015
Fire burns 10 acres in and around my former apartment where my daughter still resides!

This is the view from one of the 4 main buildings where fire surrounded the entire complex.

The fire started about 4 in the afternoon. My daughter and her boyfriend just left to go grocery shopping. She heard all the fire trucks and then heard the fire was back at her apartment complex!
She called my son who drove over and got into the apartment and was getting ready the three cats you see in the photo above. 

He went outside and spoke with the firemen and they said he did not have to leave yet as the fire spread to below our building.  Then he was on standby to get out when they gave the word. Four hundred in the complex and neighboring houses were evacuated to a nearby WalMart where they were given aid by the Red Cross. 

The fire was reported in 3 to 4 other areas of the neighborhood spread out 10 acres as the fires were fanned by erratic high winds.

I have many friends in the areas that were in danger. Fortunately only two of the main buildings were scorched on the sides but are completely habitable.  Some out buildings on the property were damaged.  One mobile home was badly damaged I read. 

More photos some courtesy of    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?fref=nf

                         Building A which was down the hill from me where I was at building D

Fire retardant dropped

Parking lot at the complex

Apartments in the back and one of the helicopters that got water from the big lake by the apartments

Another view from the parking lot

Retardant dropped

Helicopter with the water from the lake 

Lake Couty news all about the fire: http://www.lakeconews.com/

Thankful for the firefighters who were diverted from other fires in Northern California in Mendocino county and Nevada county who had larger fires and came to help with our fire. 

I am sure if I was still living there, as I just moved out 11 days ago, that I would have had a severe asthma attack for sure which could have left me vulnerable to a heart attack. 

I would have need to be carried out from the third floor apartment we have as it is very hard for me to do stairs, that is why I moved. 

My daughter who still lives there had a bad night last night. I hope she recovers soon as she starts a new full time job next month.

Grateful, very grateful. 

My Free Tutorials at Jaquo Magazine

My Articles in JAQUO magazine

JAQUO Magazine

One of the writers I met online, Jackie Jackson, started an online magazine called Jaquo.  All my Tutorials are at this link: Sherry's Tutorials

Here is the LINK to JAQUO.  

The online magazine has some 1600 articles as of August 2015.

very day. This magazine brings you daily articles to enhance  

"Something new every day. This magazine brings you daily articles to enhance your lifestyle and - we hope - give you a chuckle too.

See the products our writers recommend, read opinion and views, learn how to enhance your lifestyle and plenty more."  ~Jackie Jackson Owner of JAQUO

Here is a link of all the popular JAQUO articles:  http://jaquo.com/popular/
The list of popular stories updates daily.

I have been accepted as contributor/author of articles, which I add more as often as I can. 

                               The Writers and me in JAQUO magazine: 

My Felt Dolls project

I made these two felt dolls in a doll house for my twin grand niece's. I have already shown all the photos at my blog here,  Jackie at JAQUO said she would love to have more crafting stories so I sent her the photos and pattern, She published it today in her JAQUO magazine online. You can see the story and the others above at this page:

Here is my story at JAQUO: http://jaquo.com/felt-dolls-project/

My plastic canvas Big Bat project

Pattern Book

I make my projects just a little different from the pattern. I don't like carbon copy, I want my projects to reflect my personality and diversity.  I always give credit to the original author and artist.

Here is my story at JAQUO:

http://jaquo.com/big-bat-halloween-decoration/

Make a Haunted House Kleenex Box cover with Plastic Canvas and Yarn
This Haunted House decoration is also a Kleenex box holder. When you have the Kleenex tissue box in the house and pull up a tissue, it looks like smoke coming out of the house.

Link to the JAQUO page:

http://jaquo.com/make-a-haunted-house-kleenex-box-cover-with-plastic-canvas-and-yarn/

If the Shoe Fits … Bag the Matching Hat!

I adapted these patterns to fit the words above. I just did the hat by itself and shoe by itself. I added the sock to the shoe!

These are for my daughter “Silver” who loves Halloween!

Link to the JAQUO page: http://jaquo.com/halloween-plastic-yarn-craft/

Candy Corn Design Plastic Canvas Basket

A plastic canvas project that is easy to do and large enough for a child to do. The  pattern is for size 7 plastic canvas or 7 holes per inch. You could do the pattern in size 5 or 5 holes per inch for ease for a child or very low vision person or elderly adult.

Link to the Candy Corn Basket


 Halloween Tic Tac Toe

  From the Halloween Plastic Canvas patterns board I have at My Pinterest Account, I merged two pattern ideas to make this Halloween Tic Tac Toe.

I wanted to make the two game pieces different, rather than the whole kitty and the pumpkin, I wanted a kitty face and a plain pumpkin.

http://jaquo.com/tic-tac-toe/ link to Jaquo article

Despicable Me Minion: Free Patterns

I have made some Despicable Me Minions with plastic canvas and yarn and plan on making some more from the patterns and ideas that I have assembled here.
First are two Minions in plastic canvas. Then I have the pattern for a Minion doll. The pattern is really cute and can be made from felt or material – fleece would come out great! Jeans material could be used for the clothing.

Have fun which ever medium you choose for yourself or your children for Halloween or any time! I plan on making the Evil Minions in plastic canvas next.

http://jaquo.com/despicable-me-minion/  link to Jaquo article

Cute Toy Cat

The pattern for this toy cat was found on Pinterest. The instructions are in Russian but understanding is quite simple. 

http://jaquo.com/toy-cat/ link to Jaquo article 



Yo Yo's Christmas Projects

What is a Yo Yo?
A Yo Yo is a cut out a circle of fabric that is gathered together around the edges with thread and pulled tight to make a tight circle.
Using Yo Yos for Holiday Decorations

I have seen Yo Yos since I was a little kid. I do recall that either I or one of my kids had one of the clowns made from the Yo Yos.
I have been saving Yo Yo ideas from Pinterest for a year. I have decided to make the Yo Yo projects for Christmas. Some of the Yo Yo projects have “Christmas Colors” and others have colors that my friends and family like.

  http://jaquo.com/yoyo-ornaments/ link to Jaquo article 

Grumpy Cat!

I loved Grumpy cat the moment I saw her for the first time on Facebook. I found many patterns and decided I had to make several projects with them! I made a pillow cover, a wall hanging and another smaller project which I will have a story on it soon.

http://jaquo.com/grumpy-cat/ link to Jaquo article 

Handmade Grumpy Cat Wall Decoration: Free Tutorial and Pattern

“Grumpy Cat”

I wanted to make projects with my new size 7 Aida cloth for myself and Christmas gifts. I found dozens of patterns. I saw the “Grumpy Cat” a few years ago and I decided that if I found a pattern, I would make that for myself. So my first size 7 Aida cloth cross stitch project is this “Grumpy Cat.”

I ordered the size 7 Aida cloth when I found out it existed. I looked on Amazon as one cannot find size 7 Aida cloth at the craft stores. Most stores carry only size 11 through 28.

Most cross stitching and Needlepoint projects are done with size 14 Aida cloth or canvas. Aida cloth is also called Monk’s cloth.

http://jaquo.com/grumpy-cat-wall-decoration/

link to Jaquo article 

Christmas Crafts – Easy Children’s crafts – age 5 and up – “Sakura” Felt Ornament and Button Snowmen – FREE Patterns

I made my own templates for the Sakura type ornaments

Using a CD for the larger circle, to make it bigger as they used two smaller circles. Bigger circles for little hands. For very small children just use the two larger circles of different colors.

For older kids use one of the smaller circles for the inside and one larger circle for the front and one larger circle for the back.

http://jaquo.com/kids-christmas-crafts/  link to Jaquo article 

Dozens of Easy Felt Ornaments – FREE Patterns

Dozens and Dozens of Christmas ornaments. I work year round on my projects so that they will be done in plenty of time to ship to family and friends who live out of my state. I never know when I will not be well enough to work some days so I pace myself and give myself at least two or more months to finish projects before the holiday or birthday or whatever occasion the item will be for that person. 

http://jaquo.com/easy-felt-ornaments/ link to Jaquo article 

Felt Basket and Cow Egg

I found these cute patterns online and I make my own adaptations for them.  Cute easy felt basket decorated with beads and pompoms and a felt chick. The Cow egg was a painted plastic egg with cardboard feet and braided pearl cotton thread for the tail.  

http://jaquo.com/make-felt-baskets/  Link to Jacquo

My new rental!

Back in Washington State

My oldest daughter, her husband and her two teen daughters are my new housemates.   They rented a very nice three level home in the Spokane area.  They moved in 5 days before I arrived from their other rental here in this same town. They had been in this town for the last two years. They had previously lived in Minnesota for 7 years. Prior to that my son in law lived in Washington state most of his life. They have been married 20 years.

We have been looking for a house to rent together for the last 4 months. We were waiting for just the right thing plus the end of the school year.

The house features 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom upstairs for the two teen daughters.  The main floor has the usual Kitchen/Dining room and open living room. Then there is a full bath in the hallway leading to my very large bedroom with a large L shaped closet. 
My room is at the front of the house and features a bay window with three windows, 2 small and one large.  Very nice!
Then in the hall is stairs to upstairs and stairs to a full downstairs area.  Downstairs is a full bedroom, huge bathroom, and a family room.  My daughter and her husband use that downstairs area. 

Here are some photos:

 The front of the house showing my bay windows, to the right is the small front porch

        View from in my bedroom out the bay windows

                              I bought a new Queen size bed

             Dining room and living room from the Kitchen, gas fireplace

       Kitchen and Dining room. Large print on the laptop for me!

There is a back porch and a front porch!  There is a built in small cylinder shaped BBQ off the back porch area.  We will get a big flower pot and add some bulbs that will bloom over the course of several months for next spring. Then next Summer we will have potted tomatoes and some other veggies!!!

There is an attached two car garage you can see at the left side of the house.  The house is on a cul de sac with 7 other homes which all belong to a Home Owners Association.  There is a big box type mail box that has all the keyed boxes for each house on the road just outside and on the corner of the main road.  Packages delivered to the door!  This is convenient for us!  I order a lot from Amazon and online.

I could only bring 3 large suitcases with me as well as a backpack with my laptop and electronics this first flight in.  Each month my daughter in California will send me as needed items.  She is still at the rental that her and her boyfriend and I all rented together. My son will move in and rent one of the rooms in that 3 bedroom apartment.  

So adjusting to my new rental and will meet all the people in my Church group Sunday.

I have lived in Western Washington on the Peninsula for 6 and a half years.  I was in California for last 4 years after my years in Western Washington.  Yes, I get around!  

So on to my new adventure!

My Niece's Family

June 2015

My niece wrote the following on her Facebook page:
"Four years ago today my beloved Carlos became an angel. He is in my thoughts everyday and especially today.

"Love doesn’t die with death. Love is like liquid; when it pours out, it seeps into others’ lives. Love changes form and shape. Love gets into everything. Death doesn’t conquer all; love does. Love wins every single time. Love wins by lasting through death. Love wins by loving more, loving again, loving without fear.  ~Kate O'Neill"  

This post is dedicated to his memory. His twin daughters were born 2 weeks after his death from a cerebral haemorrhage. Carlos 1971 ~ 2011

                                                    Carlos in the mid 2000's 

                                                    The twin's June 2015 age 4

Tell them you love them every day, as we never know what tomorrow will bring or how long we will be together on this Earth. 

Summer will be here soon!

                                                        "S" is for Sherry - that's me!

June is here!

Well June has arrived!  It has been a very long winter and I have had every cold, flu and whatever-is-going-around illness you can think of!  Sick and tired of being tired and sick!  I am working on changing up my routine, my medications for pain and other things to help with this issue.  

I have reduced my prescription pain pills[Tramadol]. I was taking 8 a day when I started in 2010 to one or one and a half a day.  I have started Turmeric to see if that will help with inflammation issues.  I have increased calcium at night.  I still cannot sleep more than 2 hours without having to go to the restroom. I only can sleep 4 hours at a time. So I have a four hoep at night and a one to a two hour nap in the day.  I have tried to stay awake all day to see if I can eliminate the nap. I has been unsuccessful so far.
I think after I move and settle down this issue may resolve itself. I sure pray for that!

Still sorting and packing. One last visit to see my Mom before I go to Washington. So it's busy, busy! Summer is almost here!

Crafting projects take a break

Crafts on Hold

As I am preparing to move this summer to my Daughters place in Washington state, I have set aside crafting projects.

I have a lot to sort thought and decide what to bring, what to keep, and what to get rid of. I set aside a lot to give to the Hospice Store. The proceeds of their sales supports the local Hospice group.

My daughter that I live with now is helping me to do these things. They have a large storage locker that has a lot of things in it already from my late husbands estate. His house sold so they have even more things to get over there. They said there is plenty of room. My furniture will stay. The bed I am using is an antique my late husband got before we got married. So my son is going to use it when I move and he moves into my room. He was living at my late husband's house [his father.] So it looks like a big musical chairs event for me and my kids and grandkids. My daughter who I live with now will stay here and that is why my son will take my room here at this rental.

I have a ton of crafting supplies which I need to sort and label the boxes. My daughter here will send the boxes to me.
As mentioned the furniture will stay here as all of it was my daughters that I was using. So I will have to get a new bed when I move to Washington.
I like to get a new bed often anyway, especially when I move state to state. I move a lot. I lost track but it is somewhere in the 60's!

The time between moves grows less and less as I get older and older!

So off to work I go!